Authorities in Pickaway County have confirmed that 18-year-old Kyla Caudy of Lockbourne lost her life in a tragic late-night crash in Scioto Township. The incident happened on November 18 and involved a single vehicle that veered off the roadway before striking a tree. Another young woman who was in the car with Caudy was injured but survived. The crash has left the community heartbroken as investigators work to understand what led to the devastating accident.
The first sign of trouble came just before 11:45 p.m., when the county’s 911 communications center received an automated iPhone crash alert near the intersection of Welch Road and Lane Road. These alerts are triggered when a device detects a significant impact, often signaling a serious accident. Moments after the alert came in, a caller phoned 911 to report a single-vehicle crash in the same location, confirming that something severe had taken place. Emergency crews and deputies were immediately dispatched to the scene.
When first responders arrived, they discovered a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta with major damage from a collision with a tree. Investigators say the vehicle had been traveling north on Welch Road when it went off the right side of the pavement. The car then slid across a patch of wet grass before hitting the tree near Lane Road. Officials believe the slick conditions may have contributed to the vehicle’s loss of control, though the exact cause is still under review. Weather and road surface conditions are among the many factors authorities are examining.
Kyla Caudy, the driver of the Jetta, received immediate care at the scene before being rushed to Mount Carmel Grove City Hospital. Despite the efforts of emergency personnel and medical teams, she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The news of her sudden passing has deeply affected those who knew her. School officials later confirmed that Caudy was a recent graduate of Teays Valley Local Schools, adding to the heartbreak as friends and former classmates remember her as a young woman with a future ahead of her.
The passenger, identified only as a 19-year-old woman from Orient, survived the crash. She suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening and was taken to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center in Columbus for further treatment. Authorities have not released her name but stated that she is expected to recover. Her survival offers some relief amid an otherwise devastating situation.
Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including the Commercial Point Police Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and fire and EMS units from Scioto and Jackson Townships. Their coordinated response helped secure the area, provide aid to the victims, and begin the investigation. The Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office is leading the inquiry, reviewing evidence and interviewing those involved. Officials say the investigation is ongoing and more details may be released as they continue to piece together what caused the tragic crash.
